Malta

Overview

Malta made history in 2021 by becoming the first European Union country to legalize cannabis for adult use — but in a way that creates one of the most paradoxical situations in cannabis tourism: use is legal, but there is no legal way to obtain the product.

Imagine alcohol being legal but with no bars, shops, or supermarkets to purchase it. That's approximately what Malta created.

For tourists, the message is direct: Malta legalizes possession, not the market. You can have cannabis, you can consume it, but you cannot buy it — and you certainly cannot bring it from another country (international trafficking).

Practical summary: Malta is more a political symbol than a cannabis tourism destination. The law exists, the shops don't. Treat Malta as the magnificent travel destination it is (beaches, history, architecture) — cannabis is a footnote, not a reason to visit.

What the Law Says (Recreational Cannabis Act 2021)

Malta passed the Recreational Cannabis Act in December 2021. What's permitted:

• Possession: up to 7g in public spaces; up to 50g at residence
• Home cultivation: up to 4 plants per adult (personal use)
• Cannabis Clubs: non-profit associations for collective growing (max 500 members)
• Consumption: permitted in private spaces; prohibited in public

What does not exist:

• Stores, dispensaries, or any regulated point of sale
• Commercial recreational cannabis market
• Legal channel for non-club members to obtain cannabis

Legal Status

Cannabis Clubs in Malta

The 2021 law created ARUCA (Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis) to oversee clubs and eventually the market.

Maltese clubs:

• Are private non-profit associations
• Can have up to 500 resident members in Malta
• Grow cannabis for distribution to members
• Tourists cannot be members (residency is required)

As of 2026, the Maltese government has still not implemented a complete club registration system or created retail channels — the law exists, but the infrastructure is embryonic.

Malta in the European Context

Malta was a pioneer in political discourse, but other countries (like Germany in 2024) have advanced further in practical implementation.

CBD and Medical Cannabis

CBD: Products with less than 0.2% THC are permitted. Available in pharmacies and some health stores. Government-regulated quality standards apply.

Medical: Available with a Maltese medical prescription since 2018 — even before recreational legalization. Tourists have no access without a local prescription.

Tips for Tourists

The honest reality:

• Malta has never been and still is not a cannabis tourism destination
• The legalization was more of a political and civil rights advancement than an opening to tourism
• Malta's real attractions are extraordinary: Valletta (European Capital of Culture), Gozo, Comino, the Blue Lagoon, the world's oldest free-standing stone temples

If you have cannabis:

• Legally obtained in another country? Transporting it to Malta is trafficking — don't do it
• Possession in public (up to 7g): technically legal, but be discreet
• Public consumption: €235 fine — consume in private spaces only

If approached by police:

• Within legal limits: you have clear rights — cite the Recreational Cannabis Act
• Above the limits: penalties escalate quickly

FAQ

Malta legalized cannabis — can I buy it as a tourist? No. Legalization created rights of use and possession, but no market. There are no stores, dispensaries, or any legal point of sale in Malta.

How do Maltese people get cannabis if there's no legal sale? Through cannabis clubs or home cultivation. The informal market persists while the government implements regulated sales.

Can I travel with cannabis from another EU country to Malta? No. Crossing borders with cannabis is international trafficking, regardless of each country's laws. The Schengen Area has open borders for people, not for drugs.

What's the possession limit in Malta? 7g in public, 50g at home. Personal cultivation: up to 4 plants per adult.

How does Malta compare to the Netherlands for tourists? The Netherlands is far more practical: Amsterdam coffeeshops are accessible (though officially residents-only under the 2023 policy). In Malta, you can legally possess cannabis but have no legal way to obtain it — arguably a worse situation for tourists despite Malta's "legal" status.